Extraorbital muscles Flashcards
How many true extraocular muscles are responsible for movements of the globe?
six
In addition to the 6 intraocular muscles responsible for movements of the globe, what is 1 further orbital muscle?
the levator palpebrae superioris
What is the origin of the levator palpebrae superiororis muscle?
orbital apex
What are the insertions of the levator palpebrae superioris?
tarsal plate and upper eyelid
What are the 6 true extraocular muscles (2 groups)?
- 4 rectus muscles
- 2 oblique muscles
Where do the 4 rectus muscles arise?
tendinous ring at apex of the orbit
What is the insertion of the four rectus muscles?
insert into the sclera about 4-8mm behind the limbus

What are the 2 oblique muscles?
superior and inferior oblique muscles
What is the importance of the tendon length of the extraocular muscles?
important in the surgical management of strabismus
What do the collagen bundles of the tendons of the EOMs blend with?

the scleral collagen
What is shown in the diagram?
the orbit viewed from above, revealing relations of the orbital nerves and extraocular muscles (orbital fat and vessels excluded for clarity)
Roof of orbit and superior orbital fissure removed and periorbita divided
Where does the sensory root of the ciliary ganglion emerge from?
the nasociliary nerve
Where does the motor root (parasympathetic fibres) of the ciliary ganglion arise?
branch of the oculomotor supplying the inferior oblique
What is shown in the top image?
lateral view of a dissected orbit revealing the relations of the orbital nerves and extraocular muscles (vessels have been excluded for purposes of clarity)
What is shown in the image?
dissection of the orbit with lateral rectus uncut, course of orbital nerves within cavernous sinus shown (by removal of lateral dural wall)
Where is the ciliary ganglion located?
The ciliary ganglion lies between the lateral rectus and the optic nerve.
What is a useful landmark for finding the ciliary ganglion?
the nerve to the inferior oblique (NIO)

Where do the short ciliary nerves emerge and where do they enter the globe?
The short ciliary nerves emerge from the ciliary ganglion and enter the globe around the optic nerve
What are the three nerves that enter the orbit outside the tendinous ring?
lacrimal, frontal and trochlear
What is the nervous supply to the superior rectus muscle?
branch of superior division of III nerve
Which other muscle does the nerve supplying the superior rectus muscle innervate and how does it reach it?
pierces the muscle and enters the levator palpebrae superioris, which it supplies, from below
Where do branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion (PTG) enter the orbit to contribute to the formation of the retrobulbar plexus?
enter the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure
What plexus do branches of the PTG supply?
contribute to the formation of the retrobulbar plexus (not shown)
Where does the inferior oblique muscle pass in relation to the inferior rectus?
Inferior oblique passes backwards, laterally and superiorly beneath the inferior rectus.
